ijb@druxv.UUCP (Ira Blumberg) (02/22/84)
I don't recall hearing anything in particular about tape thickness. However, the longer the playing time of a tape the thinner the tape must be to fit in the same size shell. Thus, an L-830 will be the thinnest, while an L-500 will be quite safe. Beta and VHS are of about the same quality although the same brand of high quality VHS may be terrible BETA. Video Review mag. has just rated BETA tape this month. They liked FUJI super high grade. In previous issues they have liked Scotch HG. I have had good results with Scotch HG in L-500 length. One warning, don't buy Maxell Gold BETA. Both Video Review and I have gotten very bad results with it.
rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher) (02/23/84)
In regard to tape thickness, all of the Beta tape lengths up to and including L-750 are all the standard thickness tape. For an L-830 tape, there isn't enough room on the reel for the standard thickness tape, so a slightly thinner tape is used. (In VHS, all lengths up to T-120 are standard thickness, T-160 is the thinner tape). Some decks have a switch for thin and thick tape. I would assume that any new deck would work with both, whether it has a switch or not. (Especially if the deck advertizes a max. playing time that's only possible with the thin tape.) I have seen some warnings that the thin tape is more prone to breaking or strtching, but have no first-hand knowledge of this. Bob Schleicher ihuxk!rs55611 AT&T Bell Laboratories